A dramatic fire broke out outside an office building on Uphall Road in Ilford this morning, Wednesday, 26 March 2025 sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and prompting a swift response from emergency services.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the blaze, which destroyed a van and a car, and caused significant damage to several other vehicles and the building’s exterior. The smoke could be seen rising for miles across East London, alarming local residents and commuters.

In addition to the two vehicles destroyed, two cars were half-damaged, and a small part of two further cars sustained fire damage. The fire also impacted the office property itself, damaging the external fascia, windows on the ground and first floors, and guttering at roof level. A nearby shed and a single-storey workshop at the rear of the site also sustained damage, including to a car inside the workshop.

Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries.

The London Fire Brigade said they received the first of 19 emergency calls at 9:12am, and crews from Ilford and Barking fire stations were quickly dispatched to the scene. The fire was under control by 10:47am.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said:

"Firefighters worked efficiently to prevent the blaze from spreading further into the property and surrounding vehicles. The quick response helped contain the fire and avoid injuries."

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and fire investigators remain at the scene to determine what sparked the blaze.